The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep: Voices from the Donner Party (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780763663247)

In powerful, vivid verse, the master behind The Watch That Ends the Night recounts one of history's most harrowing--and chilling--tales of survival.

In 1846, a group of emigrants bound for California face a choice: continue on their planned route or take a shortcut into the wilderness. Eighty-nine of them opt for the untested trail, a decision that plunges them into danger and desperation and, finally, the unthinkable. From extraordinary poet and novelist Allan Wolf comes a riveting retelling of the ill-fated journey of the Donner party across the Sierra Nevadas during the winter of 1846-1847. Brilliantly narrated by multiple voices, including world-weary, taunting, and all-knowing Hunger itself, this novel-in-verse examines a notorious chapter in history from various perspectives, among them caravan leaders George Donner and James Reed, Donner's scholarly wife, two Miwok Indian guides, the Reed children, a sixteen-year-old orphan, and even a pair of oxen. Comprehensive back matter includes an author's note, select character biographies, statistics, a time line of events, and more. Unprecedented in its detail and sweep, this haunting epic raises stirring questions about moral ambiguity, hope and resilience, and hunger of all kinds.

Author: Allan Wolf
ISBN-10: 0763663247
ISBN-13: 9780763663247
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Language: English
Published: 09/08/2020
Pages: 416
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.65lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.70w x 1.30d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.9
Point Value: 9
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 514661 / Snow Fell Three Graves Deep: Voices from the Donner Party


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2020
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2020
Publishers Weekly 08/24/2020
School Library Journal 09/01/2020 pg. 96
Booklist 09/01/2020 pg. 101
Shelf Awareness 09/18/2020
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2020 pg. 114
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2020 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style